Eugene Braunwald

Bio: Eugene Braunwald is an academic researcher from Brigham and Women's Hospital. The author has contributed to research in topics: Myocardial infarction & TIMI. The author has an hindex of 230, co-authored 1711 publications receiving 264576 citations. Previous affiliations of Eugene Braunwald include Boston University & University of California, San Francisco.

Effects of Ranolazine on Recurrent Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes

Abstract: Results The primary end point occurred in 696 patients (21.8%) in the ranolazine group and 753 patients (23.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-1.02; P=.11). The major secondary end point (cardiovascular death, MI, or severe recurrent ischemia) occurred in 602 patients (18.7%) in the ranolazine group and 625 (19.2%) in the placebo group (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.86-1.08;P=.50). Cardiovascular death or MI occurred in 338 patients (10.4%) allocated to ranolazine and 343 patients (10.5%) allocated to placebo (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.85-1.15; P=.87). Recurrent ischemia was reduced in the ranolazine group (430 [13.9%]) compared with the placebo group (494 [16.1%]; HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76-0.99; P=.03). QTc prolongation requiring a reduction in the dose of intravenous drug occurred in 31 patients (0.9%) receiving ranolazine compared with 10 patients (0.3%) receiving placebo. Symptomatic documented arrhythmias did not differ between the ranolazine (99 [3.0%]) and placebo (102 [3.1%]) groups (P=.84). No difference in total mortality was observed with ranolazine compared with placebo (172 vs 175; HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.80-1.22;P=.91). Conclusions The addition of ranolazine to standard treatment for ACS was not effective in reducing major cardiovascular events. Ranolazine did not adversely affect the risk of all-cause death or symptomatic documented arrhythmia. Our findings provide support for the safety and efficacy of ranolazine as antianginal therapy.

Pulsus alternans in aortic stenosis; hemodynamic observations in 50 patients studied by left heart catheterization.

Abstract: Alternation in the strength of left ventricular contractions was noted relatively frequently in patients with acquired aortic stenosis, but not in patients with congenital aortic stenosis of similar severity. The product of left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate, an index of the myocardial oxygen requirement, was significantly higher in those patients who exhibited persistent pulsus alternans.

Klotho, fibroblast growth factor-23, and the renin-angiotensin system - an analysis from the PEACE trial.

Abstract: AIMS Klotho, an essential co-receptor for fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23, has potentially beneficial inhibitory effects on the renin-angiotensin system. Limited data exist on the prognostic value of Klotho and FGF-23 levels in combination or their ability to predict benefit from angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 3555 patients with stable ischaemic heart disease and left ventricular ejection fraction > 40% enrolled in the PEACE trial of trandolapril vs. placebo had Klotho levels drawn at randomization. Patients were characterized by quartiles of Klotho and FGF-23 concentrations. Six-year Kaplan-Meier rates and adjusted risk were calculated in the placebo arm for the composite of cardiovascular (CV) death or hospitalization for heart failure and its components. Low [quartile (Q) 1-3] Klotho concentration was associated with an increased rate of CV death or hospitalization for heart failure as compared with Q4 (8.2% vs. 4.2%; P = 0.03). After multivariable adjustment for clinical variables and renal and CV biomarkers (estimated glomerular filtration rate, cystatin-C, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, FGF-23, high-sensitivity troponin T, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), low Klotho concentration remained strongly associated with increased risk of CV death or hospitalization for heart failure [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35-5.08; P < 0.01]. The combination of low Klotho and high (Q4) FGF-23 concentration identified patients at particularly elevated risk (adjusted HR 3.99; 95% CI 1.67-9.56; P < 0.01). This high-risk combination additionally predicted benefit from trandolapril (HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.23-0.68; Pinteraction < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Low Klotho concentration is associated with an increased risk of CV death or heart failure hospitalization in patients with stable ischaemic heart disease. The combination of low Klotho and high FGF-23 further identifies patients at distinctly elevated risk who derive clinical benefit from the ACE-inhibitor trandolapril.

Treatment of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia by Electrical Stimulation of the Carotid-Sinus Nerves

Abstract: SUPRAVENTRICULAR tachycardia may be terminated by manual pressure on the carotid sinuses or by the administration of parasympathomimetic or of pressor agents. Recently developed technics for the tr...

Determinants of improvement in epicardial flow and myocardial perfusion for ST elevation myocardial infarction; insights from TIMI 14 and InTIME-II.

Abstract: Background When evaluating new reperfusion regimens for ST elevation MI, it is important to adjust for factors that influence the likelihood of achieving normal epicardial flow and complete ST resolution. Methods and Results A total of 610 patients from TIMI 14 contributed to the angiographic analyses. The electrocardiographic analyses were based on 544 patients from TIMI 14 and 763 patients from InTIME-II. For each hour from onset of symptoms to initiation of pharmacological reperfusion, the odds of achieving TIMI3 flow at 90min or complete ST resolution at 60–90min decreased significantly ( P =0·03). Anterior location of infarction was associated with a reduction in the odds of achieving TIMI3 flow or complete ST resolution. The use of abciximab as part of the reperfusion regimen significantly increased the odds of TIMI3 flow ( P =0·01) and ST resolution ( P <0·001). The fibrinolytic administered (alteplase, reteplase, lanoteplase) did not influence the odds of TIMI3 flow or ST resolution after adjusting for time to treatment, infarct location, and use of abciximab. Conclusions The influence of time from symptoms on epicardial flow and STRES reinforces the need for increased efforts to reduce treatment delays in patients with ST elevation MI. The significant benefits of abciximab with respect to facilitation of epicardial and myocardial reperfusion are evident even after adjusting for time to treatment and infarct location. To adjust for determinants of success of reperfusion regimens, phase II trials evaluating new drug combinations should consider using a randomization scheme that stratifies patients based on infarct location and time from symptoms.

The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: the JNC 7 report.

Abstract: "The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure" provides a new guideline for hypertension prevention and management. The following are the key messages(1) In persons older than 50 years, systolic blood pressure (BP) of more than 140 mm Hg is a much more important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor than diastolic BP; (2) The risk of CVD, beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg; individuals who are normotensive at 55 years of age have a 90% lifetime risk for developing hypertension; (3) Individuals with a systolic BP of 120 to 139 mm Hg or a diastolic BP of 80 to 89 mm Hg should be considered as prehypertensive and require health-promoting lifestyle modifications to prevent CVD; (4) Thiazide-type diuretics should be used in drug treatment for most patients with uncomplicated hypertension, either alone or combined with drugs from other classes. Certain high-risk conditions are compelling indications for the initial use of other antihypertensive drug classes (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers); (5) Most patients with hypertension will require 2 or more antihypertensive medications to achieve goal BP (<140/90 mm Hg, or <130/80 mm Hg for patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease); (6) If BP is more than 20/10 mm Hg above goal BP, consideration should be given to initiating therapy with 2 agents, 1 of which usually should be a thiazide-type diuretic; and (7) The most effective therapy prescribed by the most careful clinician will control hypertension only if patients are motivated. Motivation improves when patients have positive experiences with and trust in the clinician. Empathy builds trust and is a potent motivator. Finally, in presenting these guidelines, the committee recognizes that the responsible physician's judgment remains paramount.

Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions

Abstract: The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions is the official document that describes in detail the process of preparing and maintaining Cochrane systematic reviews on the effects of healthcare interventions.

Atherosclerosis — An Inflammatory Disease

Abstract: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Because high plasma concentrations of cholesterol, in particular those of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, are one of the principal risk factors for atherosclerosis,1 the process of atherogenesis has been considered by many to consist largely of the accumulation of lipids within the artery wall; however, it is much more than that. Despite changes in lifestyle and the use of new pharmacologic approaches to lower plasma cholesterol concentrations,2,3 cardiovascular disease continues to be the principal cause of death in the United States, Europe, and much of Asia.4,5 In fact, the lesions of atherosclerosis represent . . .

Lifetime Prevalence and Age-of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

Abstract: Context Little is known about lifetime prevalence or age of onset of DSM-IV disorders. Objective To estimate lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the recently completed National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Design and Setting Nationally representative face-to-face household survey conducted between February 2001 and April 2003 using the fully structured World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Participants Nine thousand two hundred eighty-two English-speaking respondents aged 18 years and older. Main Outcome Measures Lifetime DSM-IV anxiety, mood, impulse-control, and substance use disorders. Results Lifetime prevalence estimates are as follows: anxiety disorders, 28.8%; mood disorders, 20.8%; impulse-control disorders, 24.8%; substance use disorders, 14.6%; any disorder, 46.4%. Median age of onset is much earlier for anxiety (11 years) and impulse-control (11 years) disorders than for substance use (20 years) and mood (30 years) disorders. Half of all lifetime cases start by age 14 years and three fourths by age 24 years. Later onsets are mostly of comorbid conditions, with estimated lifetime risk of any disorder at age 75 years (50.8%) only slightly higher than observed lifetime prevalence (46.4%). Lifetime prevalence estimates are higher in recent cohorts than in earlier cohorts and have fairly stable intercohort differences across the life course that vary in substantively plausible ways among sociodemographic subgroups. Conclusions About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a DSM-IV disorder sometime in their life, with first onset usually in childhood or adolescence. Interventions aimed at prevention or early treatment need to focus on youth.

Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure

Abstract: The National High Blood Pressure Education Program presents the complete Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Like its predecessors, the purpose is to provide an evidence-based approach to the prevention and management of hypertension. The key messages of this report are these: in those older than age 50, systolic blood pressure (BP) of greater than 140 mm Hg is a more important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor than diastolic BP; beginning at 115/75 mm Hg, CVD risk doubles for each increment of 20/10 mm Hg; those who are normotensive at 55 years of age will have a 90% lifetime risk of developing hypertension; prehypertensive individuals (systolic BP 120-139 mm Hg or diastolic BP 80-89 mm Hg) require health-promoting lifestyle modifications to prevent the progressive rise in blood pressure and CVD; for uncomplicated hypertension, thiazide diuretic should be used in drug treatment for most, either alone or combined with drugs from other classes; this report delineates specific high-risk conditions that are compelling indications for the use of other antihypertensive drug classes (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers); two or more antihypertensive medications will be required to achieve goal BP (<140/90 mm Hg, or <130/80 mm Hg) for patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease; for patients whose BP is more than 20 mm Hg above the systolic BP goal or more than 10 mm Hg above the diastolic BP goal, initiation of therapy using two agents, one of which usually will be a thiazide diuretic, should be considered; regardless of therapy or care, hypertension will be controlled only if patients are motivated to stay on their treatment plan. Positive experiences, trust in the clinician, and empathy improve patient motivation and satisfaction. This report serves as a guide, and the committee continues to recognize that the responsible physician's judgment remains paramount.